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PHS students take a stab at business

Pittsburg High School students shared ideas for their dream businesses Tuesday during the third annual Business Plan Competition.

Many of them had PowerPoint presentations, and most had printed up business cards. Ideas ranged from a farrier service (shoeing horses) to running boutiques and owning a four-star hotel.

Participating were Entrepreneurship I students. The class covers all grade levels from freshman to senior.

"Our text has eight chapters which cover the entire business plan," said instructor Linda Garrow. "You really could take this plan to a bank, and they would know what you needed to start your business."

Competition was held in three areas - for the best written business plan, the business most likely to succeed, and the best verbal presentation.

"It takes many characteristics to have a successful business," pointed out M. Eric Ferrell, president of Alliance for Technology Commercialization, who tallied the results.

The first place winner in each category received $50, with funds provided by the Alliance for Technology Commercialization.

Colby Carr won first place for best written plan for her "Tranquility Day Spa," which would offer various types of massages and aromatherapy.

"It used to be my complete dream to be a massage therapist," Carr said. "I want to help people feel good, and feel good about themselves."

Runners-up in this category were Luke Bartley, second, Melissa Doura, third, Matthew Grotheer, fourth, and Cylena Williams, fifth.

Luke Bartley was chosen as having the business most likely to succeed for "Bartley's Farrier Service." He brought a full kit of horseshoeing tools and various sizes of horseshoes, along with a diagram of a horse's hoof.

Runners-up were Colby Carr, second, Melissa Doura, third, Matthew Grotheer, fourth, and Chelsea Neet, fifth.

Serving as judges for the written plans and for the plan most likely to succeed were Jason Poznich, Yucong Liu, Bhanu Bhattarai and Mary Wilson, all graduate students in the MBA program at Pittsburg State University.

"They came out last Friday and read every one of the 22 business plans twice," Ferrell said.

Danielle Lair placed first for her verbal presentation on "Danielle's Quick Catering Service."

"I think that when you have a job, it should be something you enjoy, and cooking is the thing I enjoy most," she said.

Runners-up were Zach Timme, second, and Kirk Smith, Nikki Kerr and Matthew Grotheer, in a three-way tie for third.

Serving as judges for the verbal presentations on Tuesday were Kathryn Richard, regional director of the Kansas Small Business Development Center; Steve Davis, regional director of Mid-America Manufacturing Technology Center; and Charles Heath, director of Mid-America Certified Development Company.

"I feel that promoting entrepreneurship is helping students develop life skills," Ferrell said. "Various aspects of the competition require mathematics, writing, communication, self-confidence and marketing skills, and these are all important in today's world. The competition is also a great outreach opportunity for both PHS and PSU because it involves not only students but community leaders who help with judging."

Other students participating in the competition were Chris Carlson, Jessica Combs, Kelsey Drenick, Sara Ellis, Katie Howard, Christian Lovell, Monique McCoy, Brandon Scholes, Fred Sellers, Wesley Slavens and Kaylea Tanner.

The Morning Sun, (www.morningsun.net) December 7, 2005